Pablo Barrera, on the run for Mexico in the World Cup, against Uruguay

West Ham United plan to announce “at least one exciting new signing” today. This sounds exciting until you realise that the signings in question are the very opposite of exciting: Mexico winger Pablo Barrera and former Portsmouth striker Frederic Piquionne.

Okay, that’s a tad unfair – Barrera is a lively little player with quick feet and could do well in England, when he’s not being pushed around by burly full-backs. Piquionne, though… Meh.

Barrera has obtained a work permit to move from UNAM in Mexico, while Piquionne is close to a reported £1million move from Lyon. The Hammers are also keen on £12m-rated Nice striker Loic Remy, but reportedly face competition from Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool.

An official West Ham statement read: “West Ham United are pleased to announce the club should be in a position to announce at least one exciting new signing on Friday.

“With the first-team squad flying out from London Heathrow to their German training camp on Friday morning, the hard work on bringing new faces to the Boleyn Ground is continuing, with an announcement expected to be made before the end of the day.

“The club is hoping to bring in at least two more new faces, adding international strength to Avram Grant’s squad ahead of the start of the new Barclays Premier League season.”